I was invited by Nerissa Henry, an elected member of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board and member of Mt. Wellington Licensing Trust, to attend the nationally celebrated Waitangi Day on February 6, 2023. Nerissa is not only Māori [Ngai Takoto, Nga Puhi, Ngati Awa] but she is also Wapanoag, a tribe in the United States located in present-day Massachusetts and Rhone Island. It was so cool to meet another Native sister here in Aotearoa!
There are various celebrations and honorings that take place during Waitangi Day. Since it is celebrated all over Aotearoa different events happen in the communities/cities. I celebrated Waitangi Day at Hoani Waititi Marae. There, I got to meet local and national people who hold various government positions including Vice Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni, and the new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins! I wasn't aware of all the people I was meeting at first and then realized, oh wow, these are some important people! Not too shabby for being in New Zealand for 4 days!
We began our day at the marae. We had to navigate parking which was crazy because there were thousands of people at the event! It's also so strange to be sitting on the driver's side and feeling like we're constantly going the wrong way!
